Different size wheels on same car?

[jthomas68]

I know alot of the roadrace and rally cars use different size wheels,meaning the front set is smaller than the rear.The Supra,Corvette,and even Ford Falcon come to mind.Is there any good or bad reasoning behind this?I understand the skinny`s for drag racing,but i`m talking road course.The reason i`m asking is that i`m looking at a VERY good set of 15" front`s(15X7.5 @ 19lbs).It`s not possible to get the entire set(they are discontinued),and i hate to lose out on such a deal.I also like the 15" gearing factor and weight,so the size doesn`t worry me like it may others.I would keep my slicers on back,and honsetly,because all my wheels are black,i don`t think the mis match would look too bad,you`d be amaized.Any input?

<small>[ May 27, 2003, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: jthomas68 ]</small>

 

[shotimev6]

PROVIDING YOU DONT USE THE ABS----as long as each axle has the same rolling diameter its all good. both axles dont have to match each other. it wont hurt anything as long as you get 2 of the same size for the front axle. im curious to see how the car would handle. let me know how it turns out.

 

[jthomas68]

The fronts would definately be the same.It`s a set of 3,and the company doesn`t make them anymore.I`d put 2 on front,and have the other as a spare.They run about $250ea,so like i said,i hate to lose a good deal,but i really wish i could find another one.If i do get them,i`m going to look into modifying the next wheel in the series that replaced them.

 

[pjtoledo]

Better check out the clearance real good. As I am sure you know, the strut angles away from the centerline of the wheel. So the shorter the wheel, the closer it will be to the strut. Don't know what size tire you have in mind, but taller sidewalls flex more. I'm posting this more for the "novices" that may be tempted into thinking they can throw anything on the car and it will work.

Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[shotimev6]

just remember the ABS will be all funky

 

[stevetatro]

Do you still have the stock front brakes? If so, the 15's will fit. I think even the '96+ upgrade requires 16's.

Also, isn't the gearing change achieved by changing the overall rolling diameter? I don't think the rim size has anything to do with it. If you put 225/50/16's on instead of 215/60/16's, you gain a bunch of gearing effect.

<small>[ May 28, 2003, 11:15 AM: Message edited by: stevetatro ]</small>

 

[jthomas68]

Yes,stock brakes.I`m talking to the importer right now to see if they have anything i can use in a different lug pattern and have it redrilled.It`s an $850 set(new),but if i can only get three,is it really worth it? headbang

 

[RoadWarrior]

I got a set of Momo Ferrari Engineering I 15's that I wouldn't mind getting rid of, since I only got 2 of em

RW

 

[GreenBird]

ABS will only mess up if the overall diameter of the tire is very different.

 

[shotimev6]

unless all 4 wheels have the same rolling diameter, the abs will not work properly.

 

[Shoaz]

The basic reasons for having smaller wheels in front than in back usually has to do with aerodynamics and center of gravity, i.e., if you can keep the front cross section low and small, and the cg low, it's that much better on the track.

The tradeoff, as some have already alluded, is that shrinking the front wheels reduces the size of the front brake that will fit, and on a road course you'll probably want the best front brakes that you can manage.

Since the SHO is fairly heavy and you can't change the aero much anyway, I'd think that keeping decent size wheels on the front to make room for brakes is a good idea.

 

[SHO92]

If the 15" wheels are 19lbs, and you're using a tall tire to match the overall height of the rear slicers w/ tires, I don't really see much of a benefit. The only thing you would possibly gain is a slight reduction in rotating mass since the 19lbs are closer to the center on a 15" then it is on a 16". The stock slicers weight 19lbs (right?), and having a tire the same height as on the 16" won't give you any gearing benefit and you'll get a mushier side wall. If you don't get a tall tire, you're speedo will be off and you could possibly have ABS problems as someone else said. I think the best thing to do would be to get a 225/50/16 on the slicers for slightly better gearing and maybe get the 15" wheels with a low profile DR for strip duty.

 

[K-Dawg]

The cars that you mentioned are all rear-wheel drive where the SHO is front-wheel drive. Also, if memory serves me correctly, those cars have the same diameter wheels front and back, just different widths (wider in the rear).
If it were me, I wouldn't go for this deal if you are looking for handling. For handling, you should go with a wide 16 or 17 inch wheel. Those wheels would work very good with a BFG drag radial though.

 

[shojuan]

Those wheels would be better than basketweaves on a road coarse but you would be better off with an equally wide set of wheels in 16" or 17" diameter. I wouldn't bother using them for an open track wheel since you only have three.

Since the price is right just get them with the hope that you will find a fourth wheel. Stick lower profile drag rubber on there and use them for drag racing wheels. They're better than weaves and they've got more cool factor. thumb